- The assailants are said to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) who were enforcing the outlawed sit-at-home order.
Gunmen terrorising Nigeria’s south-east region have reportedly killed five people in different parts in Anambra State.
The affected communities, Abatete, Abagana and Ukpo, all in Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, were said to have come under attack between 8am and 10am on Monday.
The assailants are said to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) who were enforcing the outlawed sit-at-home order.
A source privy to the incident said the casualties were mainly men of the Anambra Vigilante services.
The first attack reportedly happened in Abatete town, targeting vigilant personnel attached to the town’s President-General (PG).
Three security men were shot and killed in the hail of gunfire while the PG was also said to have sustained severe injured and has since been hospitalised.
In separate incidents, the gunmen attacked Abagana and Ukpo communities.
At the Ukpo roundabout, in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state, one Vigilante Group member and a motorcycle rider were said to have been killed.
The brutal attacks have left members of communities around Anambra Central in fear and uncertainty.
A voice note circulating on social media warned people in Awka not to step outside, considering the closeness of the attacked communities to Awka, the state capital.
A member of the Abatete community stated that: “We are praying for the recovery of our PG. This senseless violence has left our community shaken.”
Another member of the Ukpo community stated on Facebook: “It was chaos. The attackers came out of nowhere, shooting indiscriminately. Shouting no Biafra, no freedom. We are still trying to process what happened.”
Reacting to the incident, the state police command spokesperson, SP said: “The details are still sketchy, but our operatives are currently at the scene. I will get back to you with facts as soon as I